Srinagar | June 21: Stating that it wants to give the youth a fresh chance, the PDP led coalition government is planning of granting general amnesty to stone pelters in the state.
The government has said that it will review the cases since 2008 except in case the person is involved in heinous cases of crime or is a habitual offender.
The move is aimed to give a fresh chance to the youth involved in stone pelting cases.
Senior PDP minister Abdul Haq Khan today said “Government is seriously considering the issue and we would soon do something about it. We want the give these young people a fresh chance.”
He said this while replying a query of a member.
The cases since 2008, both in Kashmir and Jammu, would be reviewed. “We don’t want to ruin their lives and if somebody wants to live life peacefully, we will allow them that space”, Khan said.
Earlier, in a similar move in 2011, then government led by Omar Abdullah had granted amnesty to around 1,811 youngsters, who were allegedly involved in different stone pelting related cases.
It may be noted that MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmed Mir had raised the issue to grant general amnesty to stone pelters during the discussion in the assembly. He has stated that these stone pelters are mostly young and they should be given a chance to live a fresh life. (PTK)